Answer to Question #159640 in Electric Circuits for Yolande

Question

A battery is attached to several different capacitors connected in parallel. Which of the following statements is true?
(a) All capacitors have the same charge, and the equivalent capacitance is greater than the capacitance of any of the capacitors in the group.
(b) The capacitor with the largest capacitance carries the smallest charge.
(c) The potential difference across each capacitor is the same, and the equivalent capacitance is greater than any of the capacitors in the group.
(d) The capacitor with the smallest capacitance carries the largest charge.
(e) The potential difference across the capacitors are the same only if the capacitances are the same.

Answer 1

For the capacitors connected in series the potential difference across each capacitor is the same. Also, the equivalent capacitance in this case is the sum of the individual capacitors' capacitances. Hence, the equivalent capacitance is greater than any of the capacitors in the group. Therefore, the correct answer is (c).

Answer:

(c) The potential difference across each capacitor is the same, and the equivalent capacitance is greater than any of the capacitors in the group.